The Cross in Christian Tradition: From Paul to Bonaventure

by Dreyer, Elizabeth A.

• ISBN13: 9780809140008
• ISBN10: 0809140004
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-01-01
• Publisher: Paulist Pr

Summary

For the past two thousand years, the cross has been a powerful symbol of the Christian faith and an anchor of its symbol system. In this volume, a group of distinguished scholars delves into the theologies and spiritualities of the cross at select moments in the tradition. They examine biblical texts and commentaries, lectionaries, liturgical poetry, sermons, and theological spiritual treatises in: Paul, the early liturgy, Origen, Augustine and Bonaventure.

Each chapter provides a window into how particular contexts influenced the interpretation of the cross and how the cross functioned in each unique historical moment. Originally presented at Saint Mary's College, these papers offer a fresh and distinctive approach to the literature on the cross. The authors' historical perspective points to the tradition as a transforming agent for theology and spirituality today.

Table of Contents

Contributors	ix
Foreword	1	(4)
Keith J. Egan
Introduction: The Cross in the Tradition	5	(16)
Elizabeth A. Dreyer
``Even death on a cross'': Crucifixion in the Pauline Letters	21	(30)
Jerome Murphy-O'Connor
``Washed Away by the Blood of God''	51	(21)
Nathan.D. Mitchell
``The Cross That Spoke''	72	(21)
Nathan D. Mitchell
Becoming Truly Human: Origen's Theology of the Cross	93	(33)
Peter J. Gorday
The Martyr's Cross: Origen and Redemption	126	(21)
Peter J. Gorday
``The Tree of Silly Fruit'': Images of the Cross in St. Augustine	147	(22)
John Cavadini
Jesus' Death Is Real: An Augustinian Spirituality of the Cross	169	(23)
John Cavadini
A Condescending God: Bonaventure's Theology of the Cross	192	(19)
Elizabeth A. Dreyer
Mysticism Tangible through Metaphor: Bonaventure's Spirituality of the Cross	211	(25)
Elizabeth A. Dreyer
Afterword: ``Behold, the One you seek has been lifted up''	236	(23)
Elizabeth A. Dreyer
Index	259